Brighten Your Smile With Veneers!

For many the idea of a bright smile includes dental veneers. Dental veneers are a thin slice of porcelain that is affixed to the front surface of a tooth. “Veneers can be used to change the color, shape and sometimes the alignment of teeth,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic Dental Practice.

Porcelain is a great material as it is generally well tolerated by the gum tissue and also because it allows your dentist to get a natural appearing result. For some patients, if the desire is to replace existing fillings on front teeth, a porcelain crown may be a better alternative, but for patients who just want to brighten an existing smile, veneers might be the best bet.

“Dental veneers are a very conservative option when whitening does not quite provide you with your desired color shade, or if you have some oddly shaped or misaligned teeth,” adds Dr. Ko.

The process begins with the dentist carefully shaving off a very thin amount of tooth structure from the front surface of your teeth. An impression will be taken and a lab will create your porcelain veneers, which are then bonded to your teeth. In general, dental veneers last between five and ten years and you can expect to pay somewhere between $900-1200 a tooth depending upon where you live. When considering dental veneers, or any other cosmetic procedure, it is in your best interest to ask your dentist to show you photos of other patients who have benefited from the treatment to get an idea of what to expect as an end result.

Veneers are a great way to conservatively brighten your day and your smile. 

Love Your Teeth? Eat Chocolate!

Finally good news!  You can eat chocolate. The studies show that chocolate can help prevent tooth decay. Okay, maybe not all chocolate is the greatest, but it is still wonderful for those of us with a sweet tooth.

“Cocoa beans contain antioxidants that benefit teeth and gums,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her HemetValley Dental Practice. Tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids, all contained in chocolate, have been shown in studies to inhibit bacteria from sticking to teeth and to prevent gum infection as well.

While chocolate is good, the best chocolate is that which is closest to the natural form – which is the cocoa bean. This means that dark chocolate provides you with the most tooth protection. Look for dark chocolate that is 70 percent or more cocoa. Typically this is also the chocolate that contains a bit less sugar – another great reason to sweeten your day. 

Whiter Teeth for Men

It’s not just women that want to have a bright smile these days. Men too, want to make a splash. “Your smile is part of the first impression you present in business and life, which is why it’s so important to make sure yours shows well,” says Dr. Judith Ko from her Hemet Valley Cosmetic Dental Practice. While traditionally, men have been less likely to see their dentist on a regular basis, this trend is changing as men become more focused on health and the benefits of a more youthful appearance.

The first step to getting a brighter smile is to visit your dentist,” says Dr. Ko. Your dental office will spruce up your smile by removing plaque and calculus. Once you have been checked for the health of your teeth and have cleaned up a bit, then it is time to discuss which whitening option is most appealing.

In general, whitening toothpastes sold over the counter provide little if any benefit. The same holds true for many of the other over the counter whitening products. “To get the best results you will most likely need to have a prescription strength whitening product which you can get from your dentist.”

Oral Cancer prevention!

ORAL CANCER

What a routine dental check up and a full series of x-rays can do for you!

How often should you be checked for oral cancer and why are timely full sets of x-rays so important?  As humans our bodies naturally change with our environments, with age, and what we consume.  At Hemet Valley Dental Care we strive to educate all of our patients on the importance of 6 month check ups and a full series of x-rays at the very least once every 3 years!

Even on patients who are seen on a regular basis things change rapidly! Recently Dr. Ko requested a full series of x-rays be taken on a patient who is seen every 3 months for his periodontal maintenance. With this full series she was able to do her complete 6 month exam and oral cancer screening. This patient presented with a possible mass near his sinus cavity that had not shown up on any other x-rays in years or even months past! Dr. Ko informed her patient that this mass looked benign, but because oral cancer so often is only caught when it is causing pain or is beyond treatment she recommended the patient to see an oral surgeon for further diagnosis as soon as possible. The patient did go the very next day and all routine tests were performed. In this case this patient was found to be oral cancer free!

In the United States alone, 1 person dies of undetected oral cancer every hour.
Please see a dentist today!

The Scoop on Children's Vitamins

Article found on SHINE for Yahoo

By Mike Krumboltz 

Vitamins are generally thought of as a good thing. They give people more of the stuff they need. Right? Well, that depends on the vitamin, as well as on the age of the person taking it.

Before you give vitamins to your child, you should, of course, consult your pediatrician or a poison control hotline. However, there are some general guidelines available online.

[Related: Six power foods you should be eating]

According the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children should take vitamin D supplements. However, parents should be careful not to overdo it. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat soluble, and any excess is stored in the child's tissues. Too much of these vitamins could make the child sick.

Vitamin A can also be toxic of taken in large doses. According to the "Today" show's resident nutritionist Joy Bauer, "Chronic intake of excessive amounts through fortified food and supplements can cause big problems." Ditto for zinc. "Too much zinc can depress your immune system and lead to a copper deficiency."

As WebMD puts it, if you give your child low-fat milk and dairy products, protein (like chicken and fish), fresh fruits and veggies, and whole grains (try brown rice or oatmeal), he or she probably won't need a vitamin. But giving your kid a perfectly balanced meal every day may not always be possible Additionally, children who follow a vegetarian diet may need supplemental vitamins B12 and D, riboflavin, and calcium.

When it comes iron, kids who don't get enough can suffer from anemia, "a condition that limits the ability of the blood to carry oxygen" according to HealthyChildren.org. "Drinking large quantities of milk may lead to iron deficiency anemia, as the child will be less interested in other foods, some of which are potential sources of iron." If your kid is downing24 to 32 ounces of milk or less each day, "there's little cause for concern."

[Related: Surprising facts about cyberbullying]

Bauer writes that parents should consider the kid. If the child is a picky eater, a multivitamin might be a good thing. However, if he or she is eating a well-rounded diet, then a multivitamin probably isn't needed. She points out that parents should keep vitamins out of their kids' reach, especially because some children's vitamins look and taste like candy, and they can be toxic in large doses.

Also, if you do give your children vitamins, be sure to pay extra attention to their teeth. Many kids' vitamins, especially chewable multivitamins, contain sugar.

[Related: Seven principles of healthy eating]

Bottom line: Opinions on vitamins vary, and you should consult an expert. Keep in mind that your child is probably getting more vitamins and minerals through his or her diet than you might think. And, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the income level of parents often plays a part. Wealthier parents are able to provide better food and, as a consequence, more natural nutrition. Lower income families may be more likely to need a children's multivitamin.

Breast Cancer and Oral Health

Breast Cancer and Oral Health

Written by  Flora Stay, DDS

Most people realize the major risk factors of cancer.

These include smoking, alcohol use and others. The surprising fact is how your oral health has a connection to breast cancer. You may be 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer if you have poor oral health or gum disease. Journal of Breast Cancer Research and Treatment conducted a survey of 3,273 people and found that individuals with chronic periodontal disease (gum disease) had a higher occurrence of breast cancer.

Another study was reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was conducted between 1985 to 2001. This study also concluded that gum disease increases the risk of breast cancer.
Gum disease has been linked to several general health chronic illnesses, including pneumonia, prostate cancer, stroke, heart disease, problem pregnancy, diabetes and breast cancer.

• Pneumonia: Bacteria in the oral cavity can be aspirated into the lungs and cause respiratory diseases including pneumonia.
• Prostate cancer: In 1986, over 48,000 men were involved in a study conducted by Dr. Dominique Michaud, Imperial College of London. The study concluded gum disease increases the risk of prostate cancer by 14 percent.
• Diabetes: According to the American Academy of Periodontology, diabetic patients are more likely to develop gum disease, which in turn can increase the risk of infection.
• Heart disease: Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer with coronary artery disease as those without it. As oral bacteria enters the blood stream, it attaches to fatty plaques in the heart blood vessels and contributes to clot formation. These blood clots can then obstruct normal blood flow, which can lead to heart attack.
• Pregnancy problems: Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have babies that are born too early and too small.

Connecting the Dots
In general, gum disease causes inflammation. Inflammation has been found to be the precursor of heart disease, stroke, pregnancy problems and over all fatigue. In other words, it is a marker for generalized ill-health. This has been confirmed through blood work and C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is a inflammation marker which decreases when gum infection is brought under control, and increase with advanced gum disease.
Inflammation: The Warning Sign Not to be Ignored
The first sign of gum disease is inflammation. You’ll know when this is present as your gums appear slightly red, tender, and may even bleed when you brush or floss. The main cause of inflammation is bacteria that form a film called plaque, and stick to the gum and teeth surfaces. If this plaque is not removed at least once per day, the problem can advance to severe gum disease. As inflammation advances, the disease effects destruction of the gums and eventually bone. The teeth develop tooth decay, become loose and may have to be extracted. This is why dental visits are very important at least every three months to monitor the health and condition of your teeth and gums, especially with the presence of cancer.
The bacteria that causes gum disease forms a thin biofilm called plaque and accumulates on the gums and teeth. This same bacteria is found in hardened plaque in arteries that lead to arteriosclerosis. A study by the Karolinska Institute reported the bacteria in gum disease can result in the Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegatocirus. These viruses may result in the suppression of the body’s immune system, which can contribute to the incidence of breast cancer.
There are other connections between breast cancer and oral health. Chemotherapy and radiation may be used to kill or slow breast cancer cells by interfering with growth and multiplication of cells. If chemotherapy or radiation is prescribed as part of treatment for breast cancer, side effects can be severe and include:

• Mucositis, a severe form of inflammation of the mouth.
• Increase risk of infection in the mouth. If the drug suppresses white cells, which normally protect against infection, deep cleanings and other invasive procedures such as tooth extraction can result in infection.
• Difficulty in swallowing.
• Taste alterations ranging from unpleasant to tasteless.
• Due to dry mouth, difficulty with speech and eating.
• Oral yeast infection from the fungus candida.
• Poor nutrition due to difficulties in eating, dry mouth or loss of taste.
• Deep aching and burning pain that mimics toothache.

Most patients are treated with chemotherapy or radiation. However, some patients may be treated with bisphosphonates, such as Fosamax, Boniva, and others. Recent studies from University of Southern California suggest long-term use of such bisphosphonates may develop into destruction of the jaw bone. The risk is low but increases with chemotherapy.
How to Minimize Side Effects
Most people are aware of hair loss with chemotherapy. But most don’t realize that more than one-third of people being treated for breast cancer can develop complications that affect the mouth. These complications can affect your quality of life. Preexisting or untreated oral disease can even complicate cancer treatment. This is one reason to make sure you visit your dentist at least one month before beginning cancer treatment.
The mouth is made of cells that renew themselves daily. Since chemotherapy and radiation target certain types of cells that regenerate quickly even under normal circumstances, your mouth will be susceptible to damage. If you minimize bacterial plaque buildup by practicing good hygiene, you can decrease the side effects of treatment for breast cancer. The following recommendations are important to follow:

1. Brush with a soft toothbrush or sponge brush to clean your teeth and gums.
2. Floss gently.
3. Only use alcohol-free mouthwash, preferably one free of saccharin, but one containing xylitol.
4. When white blood cells counts are reported by your physician to be low, avoid dental treatment.
5. Avoid dental treatment for about a week after chemotherapy.
6. Inflammation starts with red gums that may bleed. Even slight bleeding should not be ignored.
7. Use toothpaste and chewing gum with xylitol.
8. Regular dental visits to identify problems before they develop.
9. If you wear dentures, make sure you keep them clean and that they fit well. Make sure to take them out at night.

Published in Women's Health

Tagged under

• gum inflammation
• problem pregnancies
• chronic illness
• gum disease
• oral health
• oral hygene
• pneumonia
• stroke
• inflammation
• diabetes
• prostate cancer
• Heart disease
• breast cancer
• Flora Stay

Flora Stay, DDS

Dr. Flora Stay has been in the wellness industry for over 30 years. After graduating from University of California at San Francisco with her doctor of dental surgery degree (D.D.S.), she knew her path was clear towards health and wellness. She became passionate about helping others take responsibility towards their health.
She is an author (Secret Gateway to Health), speaker, practicing dentist and professor at University of Southern California. Dr. Stay noticed the need for a truly safe and effective toothpaste in 1993. Since then due to popularity of her dental products and demand from loyal customers, the Cleure line has grown to include personal care, skin care and makeup.

Website: www.cleure.com/Dr-Flora-Stay-s/296.htm